Method of and apparatus for burning oil



April 28, 1931. I. c. JENNINGS METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BURNING OIL Filed Feb. 20

. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I. C. JENNINGS METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BURNING OIL Filed Feb. 20, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 VS yIIIIIIIIIAZ 0 4 Iva/6211 0): E0 61g C. Jnna'n ys,

April 28, 1931.

Patented Apr. 28, 1931 PATENT OFFICE IRVING C. JENNINGS, OF SOUTH NORWALK, CONNECTICUT METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR BURNING OIL Application filed February 20, 1925. Serial No. 10,581.

The object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method of and apparatus for burning oil. To this end the invention consists in using the oil to be burned to put air under pressure and simultaneously to carburet the air, and in then leading the carburetted air to the burner. A surplus of oil to be burned is also preferably supplied so that the mixture passing to the burner willconsist of the carburetted air and a quantity of unvaporized oil.

The method is preferably carried out by the use of an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action, the pump being employed both to carburet the air and to force the carburetted air and the supply of surplus oil to the burner.

The air pump may be combined with a supply tank from which the oil is drawn and the pump may be connected so as to keep the supply tank automatically filled to the desired level with'oil from a distant source.

The apparatus for practicing the invention is illustrated in the accompanying two sheets of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation partly in section illustrating the apparatus;

Fig. 2 is aplan view thereo Fig. 3 is a lon 'tudinal sectional elevation of the ,pump which is employed; and

' Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are cross-sectional views thereof on the lines 44, 5-5 and 6-6 of Fig. 3. F V

I preferably employ an air pump of the socalled hydro-turbine type. This type of pump is well known in the art and is illustrated in the patent granted to me March 18, 1919, No. 1,297,692. r

Pumps of the type, which can be employed, are also illustrated in patents to Scheurman, No. 933,346, dated December 9, 1909; to Gibson, No. 1,099,921, dated June 16, 1924; to Ray,'No. 1,172,555, dated February 22, 1916; to Skidmore, No. 1,390,390, dated September 12,1921; and in British patent to Trane, No. 15,603, of 1911.

The pump which I have illustrated as employed in my apparatus is a modification of the one shown in my said Patent No. 1,297,692, and I will describe this pump in detail hereranged in the furnace E.

after, understanding, of course, that practically any hydro-turbine pump, which can' be constructed to use oil for its pumping action can be employed to carry out my invention.

Referring to the drawings and in detail, A designates the hydro-turbine pump. The same is mounted on a hollow base or supply tank B, and the rotor of the pump is driven by an electric motor G. The oil is placed in a storage tank D, which preferably is arranged at some distance from the pumping apparatus, as under the ground outside of thebuilding in which the furnace or heater E is contained.

The tank D is connected by a supply pip 10, having ashut-ofi' valve 11, to a plug 12, extending inside of the supply tank B. This plug has a conical hole in its under side, cooperating with which is a valve 13carried on" a pivoted arm 14 having a float 15 at its end.

The outlet of the pump A is connected by a pipe 16 to the burner or burners G ar- The pipe 16 may have a screen 17 in the same to prevent back-firing.

A suitable-pilot light P or electric ignition device may be arranged to cooperate with the burner G.

A pipe 18 having'a shut-01f valve 180, and an adjusting valve 19 is arranged between the pump casing and the supply tank'B, the pipe extending downnearly to the'bottom of the tank. The outlet of the pump, is connected by a pipe 20 having a shut-ofi" valve 200 to the storage tank D. The air 'inletof the pump is provided with an adjustable vacuum controlling valve or device 21, so

that the tension of the supply of air drawn in by the pump can be regulated.

A well or catch basin is preferably arranged under the burner and a pipe 22 extends from the same to the supply tank B so that any surplus oil or drip from the burner will be carried back to the supply tank.

A receptacle 23 having an overflow 25 may be arranged under the burner so that any soot or particles dropping therefrom will be caught and can be removedfrom time to time by emptying the receptacle-23, The supply tank B is preferably supplied with a breather pipe 24 connected to the atmosphere.

The electric motor C may be controlled by a magnetic starter N. The controlling circuit 26 thereof contains a thermostatic cutout element 27, a fusible plug 28 arranged on the front wall of the furnace, and a cut-out 29 operated by a float 290 in the supply tank B.

The pump consists of a back plate 30, having connecting feet, which plate contains a bearing for the shaft extending from the electric motor. A port shell 31 and a rotor casing 32 are attached by screws to the back plate. The pump inlet and the pump outlet are preferably formed integrally with the port shell 31. The port shell is divided by a partition 310, into two compartments, into one of which the inlet connects and from one of which the outlet extends. The port shell 31 has two inlet ports 3333, and two outlet ports 3434 formed in its side wall, as illustrated in Fig. 5, which ports are arranged concentrically relatively to the axis of the pump. The pump rotor consists of a member having side walls 35 and 36, between which are arranged ribs or partitions 37, so that a series or plurality of displacement chambers is formed therein.

Holes 350 are bored through the wall'35 into each displacement chamber. These holes are arranged to coincide concentrically with the ports 3333 and 34-34. The rotor casing 32 is made elliptical as shown in Fig. 6, so that the same has two operating lobes, the long and short axes of the pump casing being indicated by the lines 3939 and 40-40 of Fig. 6.

Suppose the pump casing is partly filled with liquid, then when the rotor is revolved at high speed the liquid will turn around with the rotor and by centrifugal force will follow the contour of the rotor casing. Thus the liquid contained in the pump will move outwardly and inwardly in the displacement chambers and the suction and displacement action of the liquid in the chambers of the rotor will create a powerful pumping effect,

whereby a suction will be obtained so that fluid or liquid can be drawn into the inlet-of the pump, put under pressure in the pump, and then forced out of the outlet thereof.

I employ the hydro-turbine pump by using the oil to be burned in the pump to put air under pressure and simultaneously to carburet the air, and to force the carburetted air, and preferably a surplus of the oil to be burned to the burner.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

The pump is first partly filled with oil through a plug 41 which is arranged in the pump inlet. The pump is then started in operation. The air drawn in through the pump inlet will be put under pressure and enough thereof will flow through the pipe 20 to put the oil in the storage tank D under pressure, to force the oil through the supply pipe 10 into the supply tank B. When the supply tank B is filled to the desired level, this flow will be cut off by the action of the float 15 and the valve 13. The valve 13 and the float 15 will control the flow thereafter from the storage tank D to the supply tank B, so that practically a constant level of the oil will be maintained therein.

As the inlet of the pump is restricted by the vacuum controlling element 21, there will be a slight vacuum in the inlet of the pum whereby a constant supply of fuel oil will e drawn up through the pipe 18 into the inlet of the pump. This will supply the necessary make-up oil to carburet the air, and keep the pump in operation; and the valve 19 is preferably adjusted so that a surplus of oil will be carried through the pump and will be forced along with the carburetted air whereby the mixture passing to the burner will consist of carburetted air and a surplus more or less of the oil.

The thermostatic element 27'. will control the operation of the electric motor driving the pump and thus the heat supplied by the furnace can be automatically regulated.

The cut-out 29 and the float 290 are employed to prevent any flooding of the supply tank B, the same acting to cut out the motor C when'a high level is reached in the tank.

The fusible plug 28 is used to prevent burning out of the furnace.

Thus, after the apparatus is started in operation, it will continue to work automatibally as long as the storage tank D is kept filled.

If desired, the supply of oil can be taken directly from the tank D, by pressure or'suction, or by both, through a pipe 50, having a shut-off valve 51, extending from the tank D to the pipe 18. When the pipe 50 is to be used the valves 11 and 180 are closed and the valve 51 is opened. When this adjustment is made, the oil supply will be drawn from the tank D by the suction in the inlet side of the pump. If the valve 200 is opened, the pressure in the outlet side of the pump additionally will be used to force the oil from the tank D to the pump. If the air restricting device 21 is adjusted, so as not to restrict the inlet of air, the pressure in the outlet side of the pump alone may be employed to force the oil from the tank D to the pump.

Thus the oil can be supplied to the pump in several different manners and the manner best adapted for the location in which and the way the apparatus is to be used can be employed.

The details herein shown and described may be greatly varied by a skilled mechanic without departing from the scope of my invention, as expressed in the claims.

Havin thus fully described my invention, what I esire to claim and cover by Letters Patent, is:

1. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner,

comprising a fluid piston air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air and putting the same under pressure and a connection from the pump outlet whereby the carburetted air from the pump will be forced under pressure to the burner, a second connection from said outlet to the oil supply, whereby oil will be Gil forced under pressure to said pump.

2. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner, comprising an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air, means for supplying the pump with a surplus of the oil to be burned and connections from the pump outlet whereby the carburetted air and the surplus of oil will be forced to the burner, a second connection from said outlet to the oil supply whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said pump.

3. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising an oil'supply, an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air and putting the same under pressure, and a connection from the outlet of the pump to the oil supply for forcing the oil upwardly for the pump.

4. A pumpingapparatus for an oil burner comprising an oil supply, an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air and putting the same under pressure, means for restricting the air supply to the inlet of the pump, a connection from the oil supply to the inlet of the pump and a connection from the outlet of the pump to put the oil supply under pressure.

5. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising an oil supply, an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for'carburetting the air and putting the same under pressure, means for restricting the air supply to the inlet of the pump, a connection from the oil supply to the inlet of the pump, a connection from the outlet of the pump to the oil supply to put the same under pressure, and valves arranged in said connections.

6. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising a supply tank, an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the airand for putting the same under pressure, a connection from the sup ply tank to the inlet side of the pump, means for restricting the supply of air to the pump, a storage tank, a connection from the outletof the pump to the storage tank to put the oil therein under pressure, and a connection from the storage tank to the supply tank.

7. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising a supply tank, an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air and for putting the same ply tank to the inlet side of the pump, means for restricting the supply of air to the pump,

a storage tank, a connection from the outlet of the pump to the storage tank, a connection from the storage tank to the supply tank, and a valve and float in the supply tank.

8. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising a hydro-turbine air pump, said pump having an eccentric chamber, a rotor therein, and means to supply oil for use in the pumping action, means to supply air to the pump, said oil forming a liquid piston effective to carburet the air and put the same under pressure, during rotation of the rotor, and a connection from the pump outlet whereby the carburetted air from the pump will be forced under pressure to the burner, a second connection from said outlet to the oil supply whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said pump.

9. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising a hydro-turbine air pump, said pump having an eccentric chamber, a rotor therein, and means to supply oil for use in the pumping action, means to supply air to the pump, said oil forming a liquid piston effective to carburet the air and put the same under pressure, during rotation of the rotor, means for restricting the air supply to the pump, thereby to produce a partial vacuum and a connection from the pump outlet whereby the carburetted air from the pump will be forced under pressure to the burner, a sec ond connection from said outlet to the oil supply whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said pump.

10. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising a hydro-turbine air pump, said pump having an eccentric chamber, a rotor therein, and means to supply oil for use in the pumping action, means to supply air to the pump, said oil forming a liquid piston effective to carburet the air and put the same under pressure, during rotation of the rotor, means for restricting the air supply to the pump, thereby to produce a partial vacuum, a connection from the pump outlet whereby the carburetted air from the pump will be forced under-pressure to the burner, a second connection from said outlet to the oil supply whereby oil will be forced'under pressure to said pump, and an adjustingvalve in this connection.

11. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner, comprising a' hydro-turbine air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air, means for supplying the pump with a surplus of the oil to be burned and connections from the pump outlet whereby the carburetted air and the surplus of oil will be forced to the burner, a second connection from said outlet to the oil supply whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said pump.

12. A pumping. apparatus for an oil burner, comprising a fluid piston air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air and putting the same under pressure, an oil supply tank and an oil storage tank connected to said supply tank, a connection from the outlet of the pump, whereby the carburetted air will be forced under pressure to the burner and a second connection from said outlet to the oil storage tank, whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said supply tank.

13. A pumping apparatus 7 for an oil burner, comprising a fluid piston air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the-air and putting the same under pressure, an oil supply tank and an oil storage tank connected to said supply tank, a connection from the outlet of the pump, whereby the carburetted air will be forced under pressure to the burner and a second connection from said outlet to the oil storage tank, whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said supply tank, means for restricting the air supply to thepump, thereby to produce a partial vacuum in the pump and a connection from said supply tank to said pump for passage of oil under the influence of the partial vacuum.

14. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprislng an oil supply, a fluid piston air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air; and for putting the same under pressure, adjustable means for restricting the airsupply to the pump, thereby to produce a partial Vacuum within the pump, a connection from the oil supply to the inlet of the pump for supplying the same with oil, a connection from the pump outlet through which carburetted air will be forced under pressure to the burner, and a second connection from said outlet to the oil supply whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said pump, said partial vacu- I um being effective to aid the feed of oil into the pump.

15. A pumping apparatus for an oil burner comprising an oil supply, an air pump constructed to use oil for its pumping action for carburetting the air and for putting the same under pressure, means for restricting the air supply to the inlet of the pump thereby to produce a partial vacuum, a connection from the oil supply to the inlet of the pump for supplying the same with oil and an adjusting valve in this connection, a connection from the pump outlet through which carburetted air will be forced under pressure to the I burner, and a second connection from said outlet to the oil supply whereby oil will be forced under pressure to said pump, said partial vacuum being effective to aid the feed of w oil into the pump.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

. IRVING C. JENNINGS 

